Loose leaf binder



' Nov. 10, 1942. w. PlTT LOOSE LEAF BINDER 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 24, 1940 Nov. 10, 1942. w. PITT 2,301,450

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Feb. 24, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 iNVENTOR. Y @ZZ ATTORNEY.

NOV. 10,1942. w p

LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Feb. 24, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 10, 1942 LOOSE LEAF BINDER William Pitt, Elizabeth, N. J., assignor to Wilson Jones Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 24, 1940, Serial No. 320,579

15 Claims. (01. 129-431 I This invention relates to a loose leaf binder, and particularly to a binder of the type having two separable compression members provided with a locking post to prevent accidental separation of the compression members.

It is an object of this invention to provide a locking post that is economical to manufacture and assemble and is efiicient in operation. It is a further object of this invention to provide a locking post that is easily accessible through the back of the binder. It is a further object of this invention to provide a locking post that will securely hold the parts of the binder in locked position and may be readily released to permit expansion of the binder or separation of the compression members. Other objects of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a loose leaf binder embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a fragmentarycross sectional View showing the locking post and associated structure;

Figure 3 is a view partly in section and partly: in elevation of the structure shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing another embodiment of the locking post;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the embodiment of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing another embodiment of the locking post;

Figure '7 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the embodiment of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing another embodiment of the locking post;

Figure 9 is a perspective detail view of the sleeve; and

Figure 10 is a cross sectional View taken along the line X--X of Figure 8. V

In the drawings, the reference numerals 2 and 3 indicate a pair of angular back sections to which cover members 4 and 5 are hinged in any suitable manner. The back sections are adapted to telescope each other and. are provided with a plurality of sheet retaining posts 6. These posts may be arranged in staggered relation as shown in Figure 1, or may be arranged to telescope each other. The back section 3 is provided with a U-shaped cut-out portion 1 which is preferably disposed centrally, and a male post section 8 is secured to the back section 3 in registration with this cut-out portion 1.

- end of the post.

section 2 and adapted to telescope the male post section 8. The back section 2 isprovided with a cut-out portion H] in registration with the cutout portion '1 so that the user may insert a finger through both cut-out portions to manipulate the locking post which comprises the male and female post sections 8 and 9 and locking mechanism hereinafter described. Preferably the cutout portion I0 is provided in the form of anaperture and. has an escutcheon plate! I to enhance the appearance of the binder back. All of the structure hereinabove described is generic to all of the embodiments illustrated and will not be repeated in connection with each embodiment.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the female post section is provided with a lip I2 projecting from the free A groove I 3 extends longitudinally of the female post section .at a point diametrically opposite the lip I2. A locking member M is positioned onthe female post section with one edge engaging the lip l2. The locking member is apertured, as indicated at l5, so as to permit passage of the male post section 8 when it lies in a plane parallel to the plane of the end of the female post section, the aperture being small enough so that when the locking member is disposed at an angleother than 90 degrees it will bind against the male post section and prevent withdrawal of the male post section from the female post section, The locking member I4 is provided with a.'spring arm l6 integral therewith and positioned in the groove l3,

The spring arm normally tends to move the locking member M to the angular position indicated in Figure 2. When the locking member is in this position the male post section may be inserted into the female post section because it will force the locking member into a plane parallel to the top of the female post section. Any attempt to withdraw the male post section, however, will cause the locking member to bind tightly against the male post section to prevent withdrawal thereof.

A sleeve fl is slidably mounted on the female post section 9 and is apertured in registration with the aperture 5 to permit passage of the male post section 8. The female post section is provided with a short longitudinal groove l8 and the sleeve I! has a portion bent inwardly, as inicated at It, to prevent separation of the sleeve from the female post section. The groove !8 receives the bent portion I9 and permits a slight A female post section 9 is secured to the back sliding movement of the sleeve for a purpose hereinafter described.

The sleeve I1 is provided with a flange which engages the locking member I4. A finger piece 2| projects from the sleeve so as to be engageable by a finger inserted through the cut-out portions 1 and H). The finger piece 2| may be welded or riveted to the sleeve H or may, if desired, be integral therewith.

The operation of the locking mechanism is quite simple. Starting with the position shown in Figure 2, the back sections are locked together with a plurality of sheets 22 impaled on the sheet retaining posts. The user inserts his finger through the cut-out portions 1 and ID to engage the finger piece 2|. A slight pressure against the under side of the finger piece 2|, as shown in Figure 2, will cause the flange 20 to force the locking member |4 into position parallel to the end of the female post section 9 so that the male post section 8 may be withdrawn without difficulty. As soon as the finger piece 2| is released, the spring arm I6 will automatically return the locking member to the angular position shown in Figure 2.

The embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 differs from that previously described in that the locking member does not have any spring arm similar to the member I6. In this embodiment the female post section 23 is provided with a lip 24 projecting from one end thereof. An

angular groove 25 extends upwardly into the endof the female post section adjacent the lip 24. A locking member 26 has one edge positioned in the groove 25 and is held in angular relation to the post section by means of its snug engagement in the groove. The locking member is resilient so that movement of the sleeve 21 may force it into position parallel to the bottom end surface of the female post section. The end of the sleeve 21 is provided with a finger piece 28 to facilitate sliding movement of the sleeve.

An annular flange 29 is provided at the end of the sleeve opposite the finger piece 28. The flange is indented, as indicated at 30, a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the lip 24 at a point diametrically opposite thereto, so that the flange can force the locking member substantially parallel to the end of the female post section. The free end of the female post section is provided with a projection, indicated at 3|, diametrically opposite the lip 24. This projection may be formed in any suitable manner. Its purpose is to prevent any possibility of the cohesive force between two fiat surfaces from causing the locking member 28 to stick to the end of the female post section.

In the embodiment of Figures 6 and '7 the lip 24 is eliminated and the locking member 32 is bent along its diameter. In the position shown in Figure 6 the locking member 32 binds against the male post section 8 and its resiliency permits pressure on the finger piece 28 to flatten it until it is parallel to the bottom end surface of the female post section 33 to permit withdrawal of the male post section 8 therefrom. In this embodiment the sleeve 34 is the same as the sleeve 21 except that the annular flange 35 is not indented.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 10 is the same as that of Figures 4 and 5 except that a recess 36 is provided in the free end of the female post section 31 and a coiled spring 38 positioned in said recess urges the locking member 26 towards locking position. The sleeve 39 is the same as the sleeve 21 except for the means of preventing separation of the sleeve from the female post section. A groove 4|! is provided in one side of the female post section, and a projection 4| is struck inwardly from the sleeve 39 at an angle sharp enough to prevent removal of the sleeve from the female post section.

Although I have described several embodiments of my invention in detail, it will be understood that the description thereof is illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit of my invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact construction described, except as limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of telescoping back sections, said back sections having cut-out portions, a male post section secured to one of said back members, a female post section secured to the other of said back sections, means for locking said post sections in telescoping engagement, finger operable means for moving said looking means to inoperative position, said finger operable means being accessible through said on"- out portions.

2. In a loose leaf binder, a locking post comprising a male post section, a female post section telescoping said male post section, a resiliout looking member mounted on said female post section, said resilient locking member being normally disposed to engage said male post section at an angle less than degrees to said male post section to lock said post sections against expansion, and means mounted on said female post section adapted to force said resilient locking member out of said angular position to release said post sections for expansion,

3. In a loose leaf binder, a locking post comprising a male post section, a female post section adapted to telescope said male post section, a resilient locking member positioned adjacent one end of said female post section and adapted to encircle said male post section, and a sleeve mounted on said female post section, said sleeve having a flange at one end adapted to overlie said locking member and movable to force said locking member into position substantially parallel to the end of said female post section.

4. In a loose leaf binder, a locking post comprising a female post section, a male post section adapted to enter said female post section, a looking member positioned adjacent one end of said female post section, said locking member normally lying at an angle to the bottom end surface of said female post section to prevent outward movement of said male post section, and a sleeve secured to said female post section, said sleeve being adapted to move said locking member from its angular position to a position substantially parallel to the end of said female post section to permit outward movement of said male post section.

5. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of telescoping back sections, a male post section on one of said back sections, a female post section on the other of said back sections, a locking member associated with said female post section for looking said post sections together, and a finger operable means for releasing said locking member from looking position, said back sections being provided with cut away portions to make said finger operable means accessible through the back of said binder.

6. In a loose leaf binder, a locking post comprising a female post section having a lip projecting from one end and having a longitudinally extending groove in one side, a resilient locking member having one edge engaging said lip and having an arm extending into said groove, and a sleeve slidably mounted on said female post section, said sleeve engaging said resilient locking member to move it from operative to inoperative position, said arm having a spring action urging said locking member to operative position.

7. In a loose leaf binder, a locking post comprising a male post section and a female post section adapted to telescope said male post section. said female post section being provided with a lip extending from the circumferential edge at one end thereof and a longitudinal groove diametrically opposite said lip, a locking member having one edge engaging said lip and having a spring arm positioned in said groove, said locking member normally lying at an angle to said end of said female post section to lockingly engage said male post section, and means mounted on said female post section operable to force said locking member into a plane substantially parallel to said end of said female post section to permit withdrawal of said male post section.

8. In a loose leaf binder, a pair of telescoping back members, a male post section mounted on one of said back members, a female post section mounted on the other of said back members and adapted to telescope said male post section, means mounted on said female post section for locking said male post section in said female post section, and a sleeve slidably mounted on said female post section and adapted to release said locking means to permit withdrawal of said male post section, said sleeve having a finger piece projecting therefrom, said back members being cut away to permit access to said finger piece, through the back of said binder.

9. In a loose leaf binder, a locking post comprising a female post section, a locking member having an aperture registering with the aperture of said female post section, a sleeve mounted on said female post section adapted to retain said locking member in position, and a male post section insertable through an end of said sleeve and said locking member into said female post section, said locking member being adapted to engage said male post section to retain said post sections against expansion, said sleeve being provided with a finger piece by means of which it may be moved longitudinally of said female post section to force said locking member out of locking engagement with said male post section.

10. In a loose leaf binder, a locking post comprising a female post section, said female post section being provided with a longitudinally ex tending groove, a locking member positioned adjacent one end of said female post section, said locking member having a spring arm extending into said groove, said locking member normally extending at an angle to said end of said female post section and apertured in registration with the aperture of said female post section, a sleeve said loci 'ng member to its angular position upon release of said sleeve member, and a male post section insertable through said sleeve and said locking member into said female post section, said locking member being adapted to engage said male post section to prevent outward movement thereof when said locking member is in its angular position.

11. In a loose leaf binder, a locking post comprising a female post section having a lip projecting from one end thereof, a slot formed behind said lip and extending into said female post section at an angle to the bottom end surface of said post section, a resilient locking member having one edge positioned in said slot with its opposite edge spaced from the end of said female post section, and a sleeve slidably mounted on said female post section and adapted to force said last mentioned edge of said locking member against the bottom end surface of said female post section.

12. In a loose leaf binder, a locking post comprising a male post section and a female post section adapted to telescope said male post section, an angular slot extending upwardly into one end of said female post section, and a resilient locking member having one edge positioned in such slot, said locking member engaging said male post section to prevent withdrawal of said male post section from said female post section, and means for moving said locking member to inoperative position.

13.-In a loose leaf binder, a locking post comprising a male post section and a female post section adapted to telescope said male post section, said-female post section being provided with a lip disposed on the end through which said male post section enters, a locking member having one edge positioned under said lip, said locking member engaging said male post section to prevent withdrawal of said male post section from said female post section, a spring normally urging said locking member to operative position, and means for moving said locking member to inoperative position against the action of said spring.

14. In a loose leaf binder, a locking post comprising a female post section having a lip projecting from one end thereof, a locking member having one edge engaging said lip, a spring normally urging said locking member toward operative position, and a sleeve slidably mounted on said female post section, said sleeve engaging said locking member to move it from operative to inoperative position.

15. In a loose leaf binder, a locking post comprising a female post section having a lip projeoting from one end thereof, a locking member having one edge engaging said lip and the other edge normally spaced from the end of said female post section, a sleeve slidably mounted on said female post section and adapted to force mounted on said female post section and having said last mentioned edge of said locking member against the bottom end surface of said female post section, and a projection on the bottom end surface of said female post section diametrically opposite said lip to prevent cohesion between said locking member and said female post section when said locking member is forced against the bottom end surface of said female post section. WILLIAM PITT. 

